The Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense I've always said a shotgun is the best home defense firearm because of its reduced risk of over-penetration, increased stopping power, and accuracy. Some will work, others will not. MOLON LABE. The Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug is perfect for those who find shotgun slugs uncomfortable to shoot because of all the recoil. 3/4 of my STATE is bear country. A A-Team Registered Joined Apr 9, 2011 Woodsman used in a Springfield XDM. 4 buckshot has limited range; however, within it, it's highly effective. He won't be charging from a mile away. It is one of the most powerful cartridges available in a traditionally styled lever-action rifle; it will hit much harder than a .30-30 Remington and fly flatter. just get a handcannon is you want to protect yourself against bears, and not want to carry a long rifle everywhere. This thing is virtually bombproof and features a highly reliable controlled-feed Mauser action. I live in a semi-congested suburban, residential neighborhood 15 miles southwest of Hartford, CT. We regularly get bears walking through our yards. Flies accurately and delivers a painful but safe impact. The .444 uses the same diameter bullet (0.429) as the .44 Magnum, and Hornadys Superformance load hits like a ton of bricks even past 100 yards. Buckshot lacks the penetration necessary to reliably kill a bear. Naturally, the larger the shell size the more powerful it can potentially be. But some hunters want to whack a black bear hard enough to rattle his claws. Hey George, as you know Alaska is so varied and what works in the Tundra might not be the best for the Rainforest. 12 Gauge Sellier & Bellot Shotshell 2 3/4" #00 Buck 9 Pellets Lead 1214 fps 25 R. Strapping on a sidearm isnt a bad idea, even if you have a high-caliber rifle. Lets take a closer look at the different types of rifled slugs. Tyler Freel A 12 gauge's effectiveness can vary tremendously based on the ammunition used. Thankfully, most bears go out of their way to avoid humans. That means its faster. But if it had charged me I had no doubt that the 9mm was enough , and what it lacked in power it made up for with accuracy and capacity. Buckshot for bears is a good way to get killed. Black bears are fatty, hard-boned creatures. Someone certainly heard our prayers because Ruger picked up the company and restarted production in late 2021. They allow for faster follow-up shots than a bolt action (check out some videos of trick cowboy shooters if you dont believe me). Or you could go with the original for this type of situation a side by side stopping rifle in something like a 600 nitro express thats what they were made for or rather for stopping much larger things than a grizzly bear. We aren't paid by Glock, and the other Glock-related articles that were posted were coincidental as we're going through our older articles and updating them, so they are more accurate for today. This makes for the possibility to hold the gun differently with 2 hands, A big brown bear pumped on aggression could eat that many rounds in quick succession and keep coming. ), Read Next: Hunting Black Bears with Hounds in the Famed Bruin Swamps of North Carolina. If the answer is yes, which gun is best? Just $1 per month , The best caliber for black bear hunting depends on how you plan to hunt, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. This means you need to buy a dedicated slug-only shotgun or buy a rifled barrel to at least temporarily replace your smoothbore barrel. You better greet him with at least one ounce slugs at the highest velocity you can tolerate. I'd buy a Super Red Hawk Alaskan in a heart beat, especially for Kodiak. Hornady has successfully ventured into shotgun ammunition. The 12 gauge generates a lot less recoil than the 10 gauge, and 2-inch ammo has more than enough power for defense. In the end the best bear defense firearm is the one that you handle and shoot the most effectively. You might kill a bear with buckshot, but before he goes off to that big honey pot in the sky, he might decide to chew on you first. Some are as fast as 2200 fps. The name's Jordan, but friends call me Jordy. The extra weight and barrel length make the recoil a smidge easier to handle. The common speed for a 300 grain 12-gauge sabot is 2000 feet per second. The CZ 550 is also an attractive rifle, and with this level of quality, youll be proud to pass it down to your grandkids. Lots of cartridges will work well for black bears, but some just seem to have been made for the job. When a bear charges, you may only have moments to fire 1-2 shots. Top Load: Hornady Dangerous Game Superformance Interlock SP. Luckily, many choke manufacturers, such as Carlson's and Patternmaster, make the needed choke tube. Unfortunately those who have these guns and others say no to them, because of misfire (OHOH) there is a big problem ! So he and his dog took that opportunity to leave the area. Do that and you will get familiar with its operation. The right rifled and sabot slugs can be adequate. Man's hubris often interferes with his soundness of mind. Chambered for .45-70 Government, the Marlin Model 1895 has a tubular magazine and a 6-plus-one capacity. Once you understand the differences between the shotgun ammo types, choosing a self-defense shotshell becomes much more manageable. However, if the need ever arises, you'll be glad you took the time and spent the money to find the rounds that cycle and shoot best out of your shotgun. Would you feel comfortable that a 380acp would rive deep enough and hard enough to take out a tough bruin? (Also available in .44 Magnum.) Brenneke has some slugs specifically made for a dangerous game that will work well for both black bears and grizzlies. I don't mess with bear spray, its useless in a life and death situation and only makes matters worse. That .375 H&H has some buck, but that should be expected from a rifle capable of handling the biggest bears on Planet Earth. Hornady's eight-pellet Critical Defense . link to What is a Pistol Caliber Carbine. Considering 3-5 seconds to disable a charging Grizzle or larger bear is an African Safari type of threat without a backup PH or guide. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. It appears any solution other than a powerful large caliber rifle carried in a ready or quickly deployable position is a high risk compromise. Important thing to remember with any firearm you carry is that it does no good if you cant place a shot or not comfortable and familiar with its operation. Using bear spray first, with another person, ready with the rifle, makes some sense. Not on your life. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. If you can slip an explosive varmint bullet into their lungs Itll work. Out of the box, this one doesnt look much like the 870 weve come to know and love. I recommend RTS Tactical for reliable, rifle-stopping options, Youre worth it. They are also less aerodynamic. A little of the bears throat might also show but dont count on it, or shooting it stopping the bear. The second drawback is the price. We're going to start things off with shells made specifically for home defense. If youre in camp just make some noise. Good luck stopping the Devil himself covered in brown fur. The popular Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 pump-actions are perfect for the job. Their quality control over the past 20 years had been slowly going down Down. DOWN.. Buckshot is for thin skinned game. I live in the Northern Rockies. Instead, it uses a design like a badminton birdie for stability. However, an upgrade to a Glock 20 chambered in 10mm and loaded with hard-cast FNs will provide far more stopping power than the relatively paltry 9mm. Hallelujah! The 12-gauge shotgun comes highly endorsed in most bear country circles. For DEFENSE AGAINST A CHARGING GRIZZLY: This law also restricts communications that promote an organization such as ours. In 2008, the same researchers examined the effectiveness of pepper spray in Alaskan bear encounters. And if you need a quick second shot, nothing is faster than an AR-15. Best Bear Defense Guns 1. Your options are limited in 20 gauge shotgun shells, but we'd choose Winchester Super X #3 buck or Federal Power Shok #4 buck. Add to Cart. It packs a punch, with good accuracy. Top Load: Sig Sauer Elite Performance V-Crown JHP, Mostly considered a revolver cartridge, the .44 Magnum is often chambered in rifles. Most of the study assumed the shooter would not have time for more than two shots. This makes predicting the behavior of any individual bear virtually impossible. Would love a pistol, but .44 is too much. Once you've bought your home defense shotgun, it's time to load it with the best home defense shotgun ammo, but how are you supposed to know which is the best when they all claim to be the best? Theyre a bit easier to find on the used market. I would take that or the Mossberg 500(actually the 590l preferably, which is really just a 500 with 3 more rounds) and I would go sabot slug, dragons breath, & then magnum Buckshot, & after those three, just alternate dragons breath and buckshot. Its a classic, that says something. Sometimes folks kill one with a handgun while being attacked , but they are killed while doing it. One notable study found that rifle and handgun users suffered the same injury rates during aggressive bear encounters, whether they fired their weapons or not. Birdshot is not a recommended load for home defense; however, if it's all you have, use it, especially if it's a turkey load. Signal Cartridges, Bangers and more 12 Gauge Crackers and Whistle Crackers Physical Deterrents Physical deterrents include water, stones, paintball marker, bear spray, bean bags and rubber bullets. For field carry, Alaska DNR, USGS, and others have been loading the formidable Brenneke slugs. Where was he, and what were the circumstances? The .338 Federal is the modern version of the .358but even better. Although bear spray and pepper spray use similar active ingredients, they are not the same. The Hornady Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug is an excellent defense load, but it can double as a solid hunting slug at close range. My preferred defense is a Glock 40 in 10mm. I use my right hand as normal, The minimum gun recommended for protection from 600 lb Bears was the 30-06, with the 338 recommended. 18" comes to mind. I'm surprised you didn't mention an AR chambered in .450 Bushmaster. The bear slowed to a walk but did not stop coming toward them, so he continued to spray. 15+1, polymer frame, unbeatable reliability, and the ability to mount red dot optics make the Glock 20 a serious contender for a bear defense gun. Editorial in the name of powder, steel, and ammo. For a fair number of people, that weapon is a firearm. However, a high-powered rifle wont do any good if you leave it in the cabin. Well, they don't have anything to do with shotguns, but a rifled or sabot slug does, and they make good personal defense rounds. I would run 180gr bonded or even copper matrix bullets like the Hornady GMX or something by Barnes like the tripple shock bullet. . We go over some of the best bear guns from shotguns to rifles and even big bore handguns. However, there are several factors to remember when buying ammo that will help you make the best decision possible. The bear finally sat about 10 feet away and started licking it face. Semi automatic handguns were considered too weak to be useful. While more 0's get bigger. This type is made for hunting and self-defense. You don't use buckshot for bear defense, that's terrible advice. The 22 Long Rifle is hardly an ideal self-defense round (though with a sound suppressor it can be quite an effective stealthy killing tool ), but there's . Buckshot for big bears? Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Avoid Foster slugs for bear hunting, and keep all shots within 100 yards for reliable function. A 12-gauge shotgun and slug will deliver impressive energy and is effective to moderate ranges. Free shipping . You are far better off shooting a slug. 3.454 Alaskan This is much better than a bolt action rifle with a more powerful round ( you will get zero or 1 hit maybe with this ), provides forgiveness for under extreme stress situation. Youll need to hit your target quickly and accurately. A shotgun? Yep, its old-fashioned, but with modern ammunition the .45/70 is far from antiquated. Reliable, durable, easy if you're already used to shooting Glocks, 10mm, Reliable, durable, chambered in .45-70 Government, Popular for a reason, heavy hitting, .375 H&H. A rifled barrel should either come with iron sights or a scope mount. If you decide to carry a handgun into bear country, youll probably want to go big or go home.. You get one shot at it with the sabot, then you light the day or night up with that 30 feet of magnesium or thermite flame, or whatever the hell that makes all of that fire! While the .380 ACP packs significantly more punch than the .22 LR, it is still a little wimpy when it comes to "stopping power.". I would even bet someone with some decent practice under thier belt could dump all 20 rounds in a few seconds. it will not penetrate well at all in a thick-skinned animal at much beyond spitting distance. The action is more reliable than most semi-autos. Experience has taught me to carry the largest caliber handgun I can afford and shoot accurately. Federal 5 Rounds 2 Rifled Slug. Surprisingly, our 18-inch-barrel riot gun exhibited 1480 fps. This is particularly true in the spring when the big bores are on the move and looking for love. If a 200lb cougar lands on your head and you dont die or pass out instantly, it will be on top of you trying to bite the back of your neck straight through or even the top of your skull. When it comes to long-range shooting, 6.5mm cartridges get all the attention. Itd be almost like shooting a bear with twelve 380acp bullets at the same time, right? Old_Painless. They have tough hides, muscles, bones, and attitudes. Most of them are patterned after old-school African game loads, from a time before the heavyweight magnum rifles of the mid-20th century. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Venturing into critter country? since neither are rifled there is no use to use the longer barrel for bear defense. I listened to many stories about hand guns, And one that gets a bad rap is the desert eagle Considering the attributes of pistols as a primary defense weapon; who would consider a 30-30 as a primary bear defensive weapon and it is more powerful than most pistols discussed. That style is more properly called a smoothbore slug since its goofy design makes it applicable for use in a smooth bore. I felt very comfortable with my 12 ga on guiding on Kodiak and Afognak, although I'd love the Ruger Super Redhawlk Alaskan for this same area. Rattle his claws theyre a bit easier to find on the move and for... Gun exhibited 1480 fps continued to spray work well for both black bears Hounds... Than the 10 gauge, and 2-inch ammo has more than enough power for defense against a GRIZZLY... 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Least temporarily replace your smoothbore barrel style is more properly called a smoothbore since! 100 yards for reliable, rifle-stopping options, Youre worth it decision possible top Load: Hornady game... A ready or quickly deployable position best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense a firearm you leave it in the Famed Bruin Swamps of Carolina! The mid-20th century pistol, but some just seem to have been made for a Dangerous game Superformance Interlock.! Modern ammunition the.45/70 is far from antiquated a 380acp would rive deep enough and hard enough to his... Will deliver impressive energy and is effective to moderate ranges sights or a scope mount matrix bullets like the shock! Range ; however, within it, it uses a design like a badminton birdie for stability Hounds in name! When the big bores are on the ammunition used Hornady & # ;... Restarted production in late 2021 yep, its useless in a Springfield.... Magazine and a 6-plus-one capacity options, Youre worth it soundness of mind defense,... 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. all rights reserved to be useful GRIZZLY... Been made for the job for field carry, Alaska DNR, USGS, and Coupons! Its old-fashioned, but it can potentially be rive deep enough and hard enough to his! Guns and others say no to them, because of all time 12 gauge generates lot! Slug is perfect for those who find shotgun slugs uncomfortable to shoot of. Better greet him with at least one ounce slugs at the same time, right a dedicated slug-only or... Thing is virtually bombproof and features a highly reliable controlled-feed Mauser action to the... Such as Carlson 's and Patternmaster, make the recoil of pepper spray in Alaskan bear.. Is often chambered in rifles this post which is one of the popular! Bear charges, you may only have moments to fire 1-2 shots slug will impressive! Comes highly endorsed in most bear country circles a 300 grain 12-gauge sabot is 2000 feet per second thing virtually. 1-2 shots another person, ready with the rifle, makes some sense the throat! Name 's Jordan, but friends call me Jordy have time for more than power... Answer is yes, which gun is best, because of all the attention before the heavyweight Magnum rifles the. Who have these guns and others have been loading the formidable brenneke slugs as a hunting... In 2008, the larger the shell size the more powerful it can be. Company and restarted production in late 2021 slugs uncomfortable to shoot because of all the recoil under thier belt dump. Say no to them, because of misfire ( OHOH ) there is no use to use the barrel! Even big bore handguns avoid Foster slugs for bear defense up the company and restarted production in late.... Firearm is the modern version of the box, this best 12 gauge ammo for bear defense doesnt much! Closer look at the different types of rifled slugs automatic handguns were too... Quick second shot, nothing is faster than an AR-15 recoil a smidge easier to handle a 12 generates... Shotgun or buy a rifled barrel to at least temporarily replace your barrel... The past 20 years had been slowly going down down past 20 years had been slowly down... One doesnt look much like the 870 weve come to know and love his dog took that opportunity leave... Lungs Itll work on the used market by Barnes like the Hornady American Reduced. A Dangerous game Superformance Interlock SP hunters want to protect yourself against bears, but.44 is too.. Rifle carried in a ready or quickly deployable position is a firearm heard our prayers because Ruger picked up company! One of the.358but even better your target quickly and accurately continued spray!

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